When working on your website, various error messages can appear and make your pages unusable. One such error is 421 Misdirected Request. Although rare, such error message can appear on your website and ruin the browsing experience for your visitors.
This is why, if you notice the Error 421 message, you should fix it as soon as possible. In the following paragraphs, you will read what is Error 421, what prompts it, and how to fix it, so you get your website up and running in no time.
What is Error 421 MIsdirected Request
Error 421 is an HTTP status code indicating that the server received a client request that wasn’t intended for that particular server. This response code was introduced in HTTP/2. In more detail, Error 421 indicates that the server is unable to produce a response, although a request has been received. Such error messages can be sent back to the requesting client as a result of connection reuse in which the server doesn’t allow clients to reuse connections. Error 421 indicates an issue on the client side. Similar status codes include:
- Error 400 Bad Request
- Error 401 Unauthorized
- Error 402 Payment Required
- Error 403 Forbidden
- Error 405 Method Not Allowed
- Error 406 Not Acceptable
- Error 408 Request Timeout
- Error 409 Conflict
There are 3 occasions that can prompt Error 421 message:
- A single SSL certificate is used by multiple domain names.
- An improper SSL certificate setup.
- Issues with redirection from “http://” to “https://”.
How to Fix Error 421 Misdirected Request
There are 4 main methods you can apply to fix 421 Misdirected Request.
Method 1: Use Separate SSL Certificates for Each Domain
The main cause for the 421 Error is using a single SSL certificate for multiple domains. In such a scenario, a conflict within the communication between a client and a server appears when your preferred web browser uses the second version of HTTP – HTTP/2. Should this be your case, it is advisable to use separate SSL certificates for each of your used domain names. For example, you can try the trustworthy AwardSpace SSL certificates for all your websites. If you are new to the topic of SSL certificates, then have a look at these articles, as they provide all the information you need on the topic:
- What Is SSL and How Does It Protect My Website?
- How Can I Get An SSL Certificate?
- Do I Need an SSL Certificate? 5 Advantages of Having One
Method 2: Make a Proper SSL Certificate Setup
Although you might be using separate SSL Certificates for each domain, 421 Error can be prompted by the certificate’s improper setup. For example, you might need to upgrade your certificate or change some other settings. If you are not sure how to proceed, these articles might help you get started:
- Do I Need a Separate SSL Certificate for the “www” and “non-www” Versions of My Website?
- How Can I Upgrade My SSL Certificate From SHA-1 to SHA-256?
Method 3: Disable the HTTPS Redirection
In case you prefer to share a single SSL certificate among several domain names and search for a quick solution, then you might try to disable the redirection from “http://” to “https://”. Usually, this method is not recommended, especially if your website gathers private information. However, it is a feasible solution for small website projects that don’t process sensitive information – such as test sites, portfolio platforms, and small blogs. If Error 421 appears on such sites, then you can block the redirection from “https://” to “http://” and see whether the issue is resolved. If not, proceed with the next method.
Method 4: Contact Your Hosting Provider
If nothing else helps, then reach out to your hosting provider. Once you contact them, explain thoroughly what the issue is and what you tried to do in order to resolve it. Usually hosting providers offer the services of a skilled tech team that should be able to fix your issue right away. Such is the case with AwardSpace – along with offering reliable web hosting services, our customers benefit from a skilled and 24/7 available tech support team that can help you with all your queries and technical issues.
Conclusion
421 Misdirected Request is a specific HTTP status code that appears in the case where a server receives a client request that wasn’t initially intended for that particular server. There are three main ways to fix this issue:
- Use separate SSL Certificates for each of your websites.
- Make the proper SSL certificate setup.
- Disable the HTTPS Redirection.
- Contact your hosting provider.
